Saturday, January 9, 2016

Great article about the evolution of rapid transit in Queens, NY during the "Dual Contracts" era. Thanks to Chris R16/R2730 for posting this article on Subchat.com.

(Top) The EL train being built in March, 1916 at Forest Parkway and Jamaica Avenue. (Bottom) The wide open skies of Forest Parkway and Jamaica Avenue before the EL Train was built. The building at right still stands at that location. Courtesy of The Woodhaven Cultural and Historical Society and Times Newsweekly.

"Those in favor of the elevated line were not against the counterproposal of a subway, but felt the need for better transit was too great to pass up on the BRT’s offer. “Why this agitation for a subway along Jamaica Avenue and against an elevated extension over the same route? Surely the residents of this section cannot hope for the former, whereas there is a possibility of securing the latter in a short time, thereby affording a much-needed relief in our transit facilities,” one supporter of the BRT proposal said."

Sunday, March 22, 2015

"And so he's calling for the creation of 80,000 affordable units and 160,000 market-rate ones, or 24,000 units a year over ten years. He also hopes to preserve another 120,000 units of affordable housing."

But the article cites critics who say that his focus is too limited to the city proper.